[Mkguild] The Illusive Chain: Ignorance (4/?)

[Azariah Wolf]

-LurkingWolf

---

The keep at Hareford was not the imposing structure that Kyia's home was 
in Metamor, but it seemed just as daunting to Alex as he approached its 
halls.Certainly, it was not the structure itself that intimidated him, 
but the prospect of what awaited him within its halls.Could he even hope 
to convince Sir Dupré to rescind his earlier orders?He was nothing but a 
simple patrol commander and that only as an inheritance from the former 
commander.Sir Dupré, though his own accomplishments had mostly been 
written in the Midlands, was still a respected commander with a strong 
military heritage.

Of course, Alex's concerns only mattered if he was even offered an audience.

He had briefly considered simply ignoring orders, but that consideration 
was only lasted a few moments.While he was concerned by Lois' situation, 
he was not about to risk his command by doing something rash.He also 
knew that his patrol's absence could cause weakness in the patrol 
structure of the Keep, and that was even more of a concern with the 
quarantine in effect.

Alex knew that it couldn't be true, but he could almost swear that the 
guards at the entrance to the keep were the same ones that had met him 
on his previous visit.Whether they were or not, they were certainly 
showing the wear of the hours.One of them was stretching and jogging in 
place to stay awake, and the other was buffing his hooflike nails on a 
small file he carried in his other hand, his partially-lidded eyes 
betraying the weariness with which he undertook his simple efforts.The 
two acknowledged him as he arrived, each returning to some semblance of 
attention.

"Halt!No one is allowed beyond without the express permission of Sir 
William Dupré," one of them said, clearly reciting the very orders he 
had been given.At points his voice dipped into a nearly indecipherable 
drawl, but he managed to spit the message out around his tired tongue.

Alex nodded his understanding.The increased security about the keep was 
expected given the added pressure that Hareford was feeling at this 
time.With Metamor unable to deploy their own troops in their current 
situation, it now fell to the Outpost, Lake Barnhardt, and the Glen 
Avery to manage the troop deployments.This included the added difficulty 
of finding out where the active patrols were, since even Metamor had 
little idea now that their companies were forced to seek other quarters 
due to the plague.

"I understand that the commander is busy, but I would like to speak with 
him if it is at all possible."

One of the guards grimaced."I have to be honest, that is highly 
unlikely.Sir Dupré is not seeing anyone now."

Alex nodded."Still, could you at least take him my name?"When the guards 
hesitated, the lynx pressed forward."I am Alex hin'Valius, my patrol was 
just ordered out into the field."

The ungulate guard perked at the name."Wait a moment, that's the name 
they told us to be listening for," he insisted."Sir Dupré wanted to see 
him right away!"

The other nodded."I do recall that as well."To Alex he continued, 
"You're in luck.It seems your coming was anticipated."

The two of them opened the doors quickly, and Alex stepped through, his 
soft pads making him almost completely silent as he marched along the 
solid stone of the hallway.He was pointed towards Sir Dupré's chambers 
directly, and found the way easy to follow despite the sparse, martial 
decoration of the keep's hallways.

The guards at the private chamber's door bid him wait while they carried 
his request to Hareford's new military commander.The ram's gruff voice 
was audible through the thick door as he told them to allow Alex entrance.

The lynx stepped through the door when the guard returned to find that 
the chambers he had been led to were, indeed, the ram's private 
bedchambers.The man himself was standing in the one open area of the 
room, facing the door while a boar worked calmly behind him, taking one 
piece of armor at a time and fastening them securely to his commander's 
form.He worked with a practiced diligence that spoke of years of experience.

"I thought you might wish to see me," the older commander said.His 
lieutenant fixed a bracer to Dupré's arm, carefully and deliberately 
securing each strap to be certain that none of them could possibly come 
loose during combat.

"Yes, sir," Alex gave a brief bow. He was uncertain of the proper degree 
of deference to show to the man.Although Nestorius was both the 
commander of Hareford and a powerful mage, the black lion preferred some 
degree of familiarity, so only the most basic formalities were 
observed.William Dupré, however, had been a lord in his own land, and 
though his banishment had taken that title from him his post as the 
military commander at the Outpost was worthy of some respect at least.

Sir Dupré gave a nod as he was armed."I originally heard that one of 
your party had been attacked by a mage, and was unable to join any 
patrol.More recently I heard that the situation had been resolved.I did 
not understand the particulars of the situation well then, and I do not 
believe I can claim to understand it now.If you could perhaps explain it 
better, I might be able to better explain my own decision to deploy your 
patrol."

Alex took a deep breath.Of course Dupré would not understand what had 
happened.He had been at the Keep for barely a few months, and in that 
time he had been more than a little preoccupied.Perhaps if he made a 
good case, the lynx could manage to convince him to give them more time.

He explained as briefly as possible the particulars of the situation.The 
ram listened carefully, an ear flicking now and then at some phrase or 
word that Alex misspoke, but he nodded with a neutral expression for the 
duration of the explanation.Dupré's lieutenant, although clearly well 
versed in the art of politely ignoring conversations that were not his 
own, was not quite so well versed in controlling his new body.His ears 
often twitched or swiveled towards the lynx whenever he mentioned 
something interesting.The lynx chose to ignore this.There was nothing to 
be gained by raising a fuss over something so minor.

While he continued his persuasive attempts, Alex hoped that he was not 
being too technical with his explanation.Although he had no trouble 
removing any difficult magical terms from his discussion, as he did not 
know any himself, he wondered if discussing the Curse in detail at all 
might cause some confusion.

As he finished, however, Dupré seemed unfazed.He waited thoughtfully, 
eyes turned towards the floor, for a few moments as his captain adjusted 
the last few straps of the commander's armor.Finally, he turned back to 
Alex.

"I understand your concern and your desire to help your compatriot.I 
consider loyalty to be an incredibly important trait in any warrior, so 
I cannot fault you there.Knowing the extent to which the Curse can 
affect a man's mind is also quite frightening."He shook his head 
slowly.His captain seemed to share his opinion based on his dour 
expression, but he continued to act as ignorant of the conversation as 
he possibly could."Still, my one remaining question is whether your 
friend is in any immediate danger?"

Alex wanted to claim that he was, but as much as he wished he could, he 
could think of no reason to believe it was so.Lois' memory might have 
been shattered by the fetish spell, but his ignorance of his past was 
perhaps even safer than the alternative.According to everything he had 
heard from the mages, he also suspected that any harmful magic had 
already run its course.Lois was handicapped, to be certain, and he could 
only wonder at the trials that the ermine's recovery would entail, but 
there was no clear, immediate danger.

"No, sir, I do not believe that I can claim he is in danger," the lynx 
admitted with a sigh.

The ram gave a sympathetic smile."While I would like to be able to offer 
you more time, the fact is that I am short on men as it is.I need 
everyone available to man the patrols during the quarantine."He waved an 
arm, demonstrating his own armament."Even I am no exception.We cannot 
reinforce from within the Keep, so we are left to our own devices.I know 
your men are capable, and I need you on the field."

Alex's heart sank, but he nodded his understanding."Thank you for 
considering my request, at least," he offered.

"Perhaps there is still a partial solution," the ram replied.The boar 
behind him turned to the side, taking another armored plate from where 
they all sat, organized upon the bed.

Alex's ears perked at the renewed offer."Sir?"

"I cannot afford to lose your entire patrol, but perhaps one of your 
company could remain behind to be certain of his safety."

The lynx felt a swell of relief for a moment, before he realized the 
unfortunate truth."I'm sorry, sir, but if one of my fellows remained 
behind, the other would have to do so as well," he explained.

The ram's face showed clear confusion."What do you mean?" he asked.

"They share a bond with one another for several reasons," Alex 
explained."Without going into much detail regarding those reasons, the 
result is that they must remain close to one another at all times, or 
risk death."

Sir Dupré shook his head."You surround yourself with quite a variety of 
magical oddities," he commented.His lieutenant barely suppressed a 
chuckle."Whatever the case, I am sorry to say that this severely limits 
my ability to help you in any meaningful way.I am certain that the 
healers will gladly look after him in your absence, but beyond this I do 
not see any way I can be of help."

"Actually, there is one thing you might be able to do if you cannot 
allow us to remain here," Alex proposed."I told you of the mage that 
assisted us in our efforts, Balrog.Would it be possible to see that his 
patrol is able to remain here in our absence?He is a personal friend of 
Lois, and he might be able to provide the necessary aid if we cannot."

Dupré considered the proposal in silence for a few moments before 
nodding slowly."I think I may be able to allow that request," he 
agreed."If I understand correctly, his patrol company only returned from 
a mission themselves only recently as it is.Giving them a few days to 
rest would be profitable for them."

Alex smiled."Thank you, sir.Unless you require me for any other purpose, 
I believe I should part to prepare my men for the upcoming patrol."

The ram nodded."Indeed.Fare well on your journey.I hope our next meeting 
will be under more fortunate circumstances.Perhaps we could find time to 
share a drink together.I do want to know the men under my command, brief 
though our interaction may be."

Alex hesitated.It always concerned him when anyone of rank showed 
interest in him, but he could see no ill intention of any kind behind 
the offer."Thank you," he said, giving a shallow bow."I would be honored 
to join you if you would have me."

"Of course."Dupré smiled, and even the boar spared the lynx a glance and 
a smile."Farewell!May each of us find good success on our journeys."

As Alex left, he wondered if he had done the right thing.He barely knew 
Balrog, and the only word that had assured him of the man's friendship 
to Lois had been the lutin's own.If there was any deception in the man's 
words, the lynx would not learn of it until the results had already been 
wrought.Still, as he returned to the barracks, Alex could not find it in 
himself to regret the decision.Lois needed someone to help him through 
this difficulty.Despite the risks, everything he had seen pointed to 
Balrog being the proper choice for the job.He just wished he could still 
his doubts.
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